Matthew 7:1-6, Judging Others

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Comments

To judge is to condemn, which is God’s job, not ours. Judgment is often combined with self-blindness; we let ourselves off the hook for behavior we dislike in others. That is why Jesus warns us not to be hypocrites. Note that the hypocrite spoke truth, just not the whole truth.

“Holy” in this context means “consecrated food.” Dogs and pigs are unclean animals. Jesus reminds us that holy teaching should be shared with those who will appreciate it—those whose hearts God has prepared through his Spirit ahead of time.

Have you ever tried to share a holy and valuable teaching with someone who did not appreciate it? We need to ask God for spiritual discernment on when to speak and when to remain quiet. I think I have not been quiet enough!

Prayer

Lord God, help me to stay attuned to your Spirit when I speak things that are holy and valuable, that I may be an uplifting presence and witness to you in difficult situations instead of being a hypocrite. Remove the speck from my eye that I may see myself and other people clearly, and that I may speak the truth in love.